Bulk tube carton



March l2, 1957 K. s. oMER, JR 2,784,839

v BULK TUBE CARTON Filed Dee. 7, 1955 l s sheets-sheet 1 Inventor-z Kenne- 5. Omer-,Jn

@HLM bgWH i s m March l2, 1957 K, s OMER, JR 2,784,839

BULK TUBE CARTON Filed Dec. 7. 1953 3 Shets-Sheet 2 Inventor: Kenner S. Omer- Jr.,

March l2, 1957 K. s. OMER, JR

BULK TUBE CARTON '.5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 7, 1 953 United States Patent O BULK TUBE CARTON Kenner S. Omer, Jr., Schenectady, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 7, 1953, Serial No. 396,595

9 Claims. (Cl. 20G-65) My invention relates to cartons and pertains more particularly to a new and improved carton for the bulk packaging of miniature type electron tubes.

In a carton provided for bulk packaging miniature type electron tubes certain characteristics are highly desirable. For instance, it should be formable from an economical material such as paperboard material and with a minimum of stamping and folding operations. After forming, the carton should be collapsible for easy shipment to a user. Further, the carton must provide means whereby the tubes are held rmly in place therein and afford a maximum of protection for the delicate tubes against damage resulting from shocks and jolts to which the package might be subjected during shipping and handling. Still further, the carton should be of Such construction as to facilitate the packing of the tubes therein.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a new and improved carton for bulk packaging miniature type electron tubes.

Another object of my invention is to provide au economically formable bulk package tube carton which is collapsible for easy shipping before use and includes means for maintaining it erect when in use.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bulk package tube carton which will atord a maximum of protection to tubes shipped therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a bulk package tube carton of such construction as to suspend the tubes completely within the carton thereby to provide protection for protrusions at the ends of the tubes.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a bulk package tube carton of such construction as to facilitate packing of tubes therein.

In carrying out the objects of my invention l provide a container unit formed of a single blank of paperboard material to provide, when folded, a pair of spaced side wall sections and at least three spaced main sections Cil hingedly connected between the lower portions of the side wall sections. The uppermost and middle main sections include correspondng patterns of axially aligned apertures. Hingedly connected between the lowest and middle main sections are longitudinally extending bracing flaps. positionable for maintaining the unit erect and maintaining satisfactory spacing between the several main sections when the carton is in use. A cover unit is provided for being placed between the upper portions of the side wall sections of the container unit and is formed of a single blank of paperboard material also. This provides, when folded, a pair of side wall sections and at least two spaced main sections hingedly connected between the side wall sections. The lower main section includes a pattern of apertures corresponding to those in the container unit. Hingedly connected between the main sections are longitudinally extendingbracing flaps. For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which:

End flaps formed on the various sections are AFig.` l is a perspective View illustrating a preferred 2,784,839 Patented Mar. 12, 1957 embodiment of my carton packed with miniature type electron tubes;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view illustrating the container unit blank before folding;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the carton with the cover removed; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the cover unit blank before folding.

Referring to Fig. 1, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my carton assembled, erected and packed with miniature type electron tubes 1. As seen in Figs. 2 and 3 the tubes 1 include an envelope 2 having a plurality of circularly arrayed prongs 3 projecting from one end and a seal-olf tip or protrusionton the opposite end. As the following description proceeds it will become evident that while I refer to and describe my invention as a carton for packing miniature type electron tubes it is employable for packaging any type of tubes including protrusions similar to the seal-0E tips 4. That is, my carton is equally employable for packaging tubes having protrusions such as contact caps on the tops thereof.

The carton comprises a container unit S, for receiving and holding the envelope and prong portions of a plurality of tubes and a cover unit 6 constructed to receive the seal-off tips of the tubes for assisting in retaining the tubes in the container unit. As seen in Fig. 4, the container unit 5 is formed from a single blank 7 of paperboard material of substantially rectangular conguration. The blank '7 may be formed in a single stamping operation and in any desired size to carry any desired number of tubes. The blank 7 comprises three spaced main sections 8, 9 and 11i. The main section S is defined by a spaced pair of parallel transverse score lines 11 and includes a pattern of circular apertures 12. The presently described carton is intended for the packaging of fty tubes and the apertures 12 are arranged in ve columns of ten apertures each. The apertures 12 are so dimensioned as to receive with a snug tit the circularly arrayed prongs 3 of the tubes 1. Formed along the right side end of the blank 7 in Fig. i is a gluing strip 13. The top surface of the strip 13 is adapted for being coated with a suitable gluing material in the manner indicated at 14. Formed on the ends of the main section 3 are spacer flaps 15 separated from the section 8 by a spaced pair of parallel longitudinal score lines 16.

The main section 9 is detined by a spaced apart pair of parallel transverse score lines 17 and is connected to the first section 8 by a strip 18. The top surface of the strip 18 is also adapted for being coated with glue as indicated at 19. The main section 9 includes a pattern of circular apertures 20 corresponding to that in the first described main section 8. The apertures Ztl are dimensionedfor receiving the envelope portions 2 of the tubes 1 with a snug fit.

Formed oif the ends of the main section 9 are dened therefrom by fold lines 21 are end flaps 22. The end flaps 22 include tabs 23 separated from the rest of the ilaps by fold lines 24. Formed in the iiaps 22 at each end of the fold lines 24 are notches 25.

The main section l of the blank 7 is defined by a spaced pair of parallel transverse score lines 26. Provided in the section 1li are a pair of parallel spaced apart bracing flaps 27. The aps 27 are formed by elongated U- shaped cut lines 28 and score lines 29. Score lines 30 divide each of the aps 27 into two portions, the underside of the outer ones of which are adapted for being coated with glue.`

Provided for connecting the main sections 9 and 10 of the blank 7 are side wall sections 31 and 32 divided by a score line 33. The underside of the section 31 is adapted for being coated withglue also. Formed off the ends of the wall section 32'at the score line 26 are end'v flaps 34 which are formed to include steps 34 and are defined from the wall section 32 by fold lines 35.

Formed off the opposite side of the main section 10 is another wall sectionf36. rthis section is identical to the wall section 32 described above and therefore need not be described in detail herein.

The container unit 5' is assembled by folding along the score lines 26 and 33 in the manner shown in Figs. l-3 and 5to provide a cradle-like structure in which theV sections 314, 32 and 36 comprise vertically extending side walls and the main section l comprises a horizontal bottom section hingedly connected to the lower edges of the 'side walls. By means of the glue coating on the underside of the wall section' 31 this section is secured to the adjacent wall section 32. Thereafter, by folding along the lines 1l and 17 in the manner shown, the main sections 8 and 9 are disposed in vertical spaced relationship above the section 1d with the section 9 uppermost. Satisfactory spacing between the three main sections is obtained by gluing the vertical strip 18 to the inner side of the wall section 36 and by gluing the bent up strip 13 to the inner side of the wall section 32 all in the manner shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen at this point the container unit` is collapsible simply by folding all the vertical sections down on the horizontal sections for reducing its shipping space to a minimum.

Following shipment to a user and when the carton is to be packed,the fiaps 15 are bent down along the lines 16 into a vertical position in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 5. To maintain the fiaps 15 in this position and to assist in maintaining the container unit erect, the flaps 34 are folded inwardly along the lines 35. Thereafter the flaps 22 are folded downover the flaps 15 and 34 in the mannershown in Figs. l, 3 and 5 for further assisting in maintaining the unit erect. Thereafter the tabs 23 of the end fiaps 22 are bent inwardly on the lines 24 andl are inserted between the lower edges of the spacer flaps '15 and the end edges of the section 10. The steps 34 in the edges of the iiaps 34 facilitate insertion of the tabs 23 and in cooperation with the `notches 25 lock the flaps 22 in position. Additionally, the bracing flaps 27 are bent along the lines 29 and Sti and the outer portionsthereof are glued to the underside. of: the section 3 between adjacent rows of apertures 12.

When fully assembled and erected in the manner just described, the container unit 5 is sturdy, the horizontal sections 8, 9 and lttl are spaced and the apertures 12' and 20 in the sections S and 9, respectively, are axially aligned. Thus the tubes t may be packed in the container unit in the manner shown in Figs. 1 3. When so packed the envelopes 2 of the tubes are snugly fitted in the apertures 20 in the section 9 and the circularly arrayed prongs 3 are snugly fitted in the apertures 12 in the section 8 whereby the tubes are firmly held in position in the 'container unit and suspended therein with the ends of the prongs above the bottom section 10.

The cover unit 6 is adapted for being received between the upper portions of the side wall sections of the container unit 5 in the manner shown in Figs. l-3. As seen in Fig. 6 the cover unit is formed from a single blank 37 of paperboard material of substantially rectangular configuration in the same manner as the container unit. The blank 37 comprises two main sections 33 and 39. The section 38 is defined by a spaced pair of parallel transverse score lines 40 and includes a pattern of circular apertures 41 corresponding to those in the container unit. The apertures 41 are intended for receiving only the seal-off tips or protrusions 4 of the tubes heldin the container unitand, therefore, are substantially smaller than the apertures in the main sections of the container unit.

assenso Formed along the outer edge of the section 38 and defined therefrom by the right-hand score line dii in Fig. 6 is a side wall section 42. As indicated at 43, an edge portion of the section 42 is adapted for being coated with gluing material. The seco-nd section 39 of the cover unit is defined by a spaced pair of parailel Score lines 44 and is connected to the first section by a wall section 45. Provided in the section 39 is a pair of parallel spaced bracing fiaps 46. The flaps 4.6 are identical in construction and purposeA to the iiaps 27 provided in the container unit and described above. Formed alongv the outer edge of the section 39 and defined therefrom by the left-hand score line 4Min Fig. 6 is a gluing strip 47. The cover unit 6 is assembled by folding the blank along the score lines dfi and 4d, in the manner shown in Figs. l-3 and 5 and gluing the Side fiap 47 to the side wall section 42 and the bracing flaps 46 to the upper side of the section 38 between adjacent rows of apertures 41. It will be seen that this structure is collapsible in the same manner as the container unit 5 for easy shipping.

When the cover unit 6 is erected it is adapted for being placed between the upper portions of the side wall sections of the container unit 5 in the manner shown in Figs. l3. When so placed all of the tube tips d find their way into their respective apertures 41. The cover unit 6 may be held in place simply by placing a band or the like about both the container unit and the cover unit or by securing adhesive tape between the cover and the side Walls.

The spacing of the main sections 38 and 39 of the cover unit 6 is such that when the cover is held in place the tips of Athe tubes are spaced away from the outer section 39. Additionally, the spacing between the main sections of the cover unit is such that when the cover is held in place the lower section 38 will exert a downward force on the tops of the tubes 1 for assisting in holding the tubes substantially firmly in place in the carton.

Thus it will be seen that l have provided a tube carton for packaging miniature tubes or similar tubes having protrusions on` the tops thereof which is simple and economical in manufacture and is collapsible for easy shipping before use, Further, when my carton is fully assembled and packed with tubes, tbe tubes are therein suspended and held firmly for protection against damage resulting from shocksand jolts to which the package might be subjected during shipping and handling, Still further, since in my carton the cover is completely removable, the hands of a packer are both free for filling the carton, whereas with Some other cartons one hand is required for holding the cover open and back out of the way during packing.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention7 l do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular formsliown and described and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

a l. For use in bulk packaging electron tubes which include an envelope, and prongs and a protrusion on opposite ends of said envelope, a collapsible carton cornprisrng; a container unit including a pair of spaced wall sections, and a pluralityy of spaced main sections connected between the lower portions of said lwall sections, one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures adapted for receivingsaidy envelope yportions of said tubes, another of saidr main sections` including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and axiallyaligned with the apertures in said one section, for receiving the prongs of said tubes and suspending said tubes; and a separate cover unit adapted for being receivedbetweenthe -upper portions of said spaced wall4H sections of said container Vunit, said coveiyvunit including a pair of spaced wall sections, a plurality of spaced main sectionsy connected between said cover unit wall sections, only one. of said cover unitmain greased 'sections including a pattern of `apertures corresponding to and adapted for being axially aligned with said apertures in said container unit, when said cover unit is in place for receiving said protrusions on said tubes, the other of said cover unit main sections being adapted for covering said protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place.

2. For use in bulk packaging electron tubes which include an envelope and prongs and a protrusion on opposite ends of said envelope, a collapsible carton comprising; a container unit formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, and at least three spaced main sections hingedly connected between the lower portions of said wall sections, the uppermost one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures adapted for receiving said envelope portion of said tubes, the intermediate one of said `main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and axially aligned with the apertures in said uppermost section for receiving the prongs of said tubes and suspending said tubes with said prongs above the lowermost one of said main sections; and a separate cover unit adapted for being positioned between the upperportions of said spaced wall sections of said container unit, said cover unit being formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, and at least two spaced main sections hingedly connected between said cover unit wall sections, only the lower one of said cover unit main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and adapted for being axially aligned with said apertures in said container unit when said cover unit is in place for receiving said protrusions on said tubes, the upper one of said cover unit main sections being adapted for covering said protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place.

3. For use in bulk packaging electron tubes which include an envelope, and prongs and a protrusion on opposite ends of said envelope, a collapsible carton comprising; a container unit formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, at least three spaced main sections hingedly connected between the lower portions of said wall sections, the uppermost one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures adapted for receiving said envelope portions of said tubes, the intermediate one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and axially aligned with said apertures in said uppermost section for receiving the prongs ofrsaid tubes and suspending said tubes with said prongs above the lowermost one of said main sections, and a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending bracing sections struck out of one of said main sections and connected hingedly between said intermediate and lowermost main sections of said container unit for maintaining the spacing therebetween; and a separate cover unit adapted for being placed between theupper portions of said wall sections of said container unit, said cover unit being formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, at least two spaced main sections hingedly connected between said wall sections of said cover unit, the lower one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and adapted for being axially aligned with said apertures in said container unit for receiving said protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place, the upper one of said main sections covering said protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place, and a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending bracing sections struck out of one of said cover unit main sections and connected hingedly between said pair of cover unit main sections for maintaining the spacing therebetweer..

4. For use in bulk packaging electron tubes which include an envelope, and prongs and a protrusion on opposite ends of said envelope, a collapsible carton comprising; a container unit formed of a single paperboard blank'sliaped and folded to provide a pair ofnspac'ed wall sections, at least three spaced main sections hingedly connected between the lower portions of said Wall sections, the uppermost one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures adapted for receiving said envelope portions of said tubes, the intermediate one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and axially aligned with said apertures in said uppermost section for receiving the prongs of said tubes and suspending said tubes With said prongs above the lowermost one of said main sections, and transversely extending sections hingedly connected to the ends of said intermediate main section and positionable vertically between said intermediate and another of said main sections for assisting in maintaining erection of said container unit; and a separate cover unit adapted for being placed between the upper portions of said side walls of said container unit, said cover unit being formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded tot provide a pair of spaced wall sections, and at least two spaced main sections hingedly connected between said wall sections of said cover unit, the lower one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and adapted for being axially aligned with said apertures in said container unit for receiving the protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place.

5. For use in bulk packaging electron tubes which include an envelope, and prongs and a protrusion on opposite ends of said envelope, a collapsible carton comprising; a container unit formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, at least three spaced main sections hingedly connected between the lower portions of said wall sections, the uppermost one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures adapted for receiving said envelope portions of said tubes, the intermediate one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and axially aligned with said apertures in said uppermost section for receiving the prongs of said tubes and suspending said tubes with said prongs above the lowermost of said main sections, flap sections hingedly connected to the ends of said uppermost main section and positionable vertically between said uppermost and lowermost sections for assisting in maintaining erection of said container unit, and tabs formed off said ap sections for insertion behind said lowermost section thereby to maintain said ap sections vertically positioned; and a separate unit cover adapted for being placed between the upper portions of said wall sections of said container unit, said cover unit being formed or a single paperboard blank shaped andV folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, and at least two spaced main sections hingedly connected between said wall sections of said cover unit, the lower one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and adapted for being axially aligned with said apertures in said container unit for receiving the protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place.

6. For use in bulk packaging electron tubes which include an envelope, and prongs and a protrusion on oppo- 'site ends of said envelope, a collapsible carton comprising; a container unit formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, three spaced main sections hingedly connected between the lower portions of said Wall sections, the uppermost one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures adapted for receiving said envelope portions of said tubes, the intermediate one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures corresponding to and axially aligned with said apertures in said uppermost section for receiving said prongs of said tubes and suspending said tubes with said prongs above the lowermost one of said horizontal sections, a pair of spa-ced longitudinally extending bracing sections struck out of said lowermost section and connected hingedly between said intermedi- 25a-sasso ,7 ate and said lowermost section foi-'assisting in maintaining the spacing therebetween, transversely extending secf tions hingedly connected to the ends of said intermediate main section and positionable vertically between said intermediate and said lowermost section for assisting in maintaining erection of said container unit, transversely extending flap sections hingedly connected to the ends of said uppermost main section and positionable vertically between said uppermost and lowermost sections for further assisting in maintaining erection of said container unit, and tabs formed oft' said last-mentioned flap sections for insertion between the edges of said rst-mentioned flap sections and said lowermost section thereby to maintain said ap sections vertically positioned; and a separate cover unit adapted for being placed between the upper portions of said side walls of said container unit, said cover unit being formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, two spaced main sections hingedly connected be tween said wall sections of said cover unit, the lowe1` one of said main sections including a pattern of apertures co1'- responding to and adapted for being axially aligned with said apertures in said container unit for receiving said protrusions on said tubes when said cover unit is in place, and a plurality of spaced longitudinally extending bracing sections struck out of the upper one of said main sections and connected hingedly between said pair of main sections of said cover unit for maintaining the spacing therebetween.

7. In combination, a plurality of articles and a carton for bulk packaging said articles comprising, a container unit being substantially U-shaped in cross-section, said container unit being formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a pair of spaced wall sections, and a plurality of main sections liingedly connected between the lower portions of said wall sections and adapted for holding said articles in suspended positions above the bottom of said container unit, and a separate cover unit positionable between the upper portions of said wall sections of said container unit, said cover unit being formed of a single paperboard blank shaped and folded to provide a plurality of spaced main sections, only one of said cover unit main sections being engageable with said articles and adapted for retaining said articles in said container unit, the other of said cover unit main sections being substantially spaced from said articles and protecting the upper portions of said articles when said cover unit is in place between said wall sections of said con rainer unit.

8. In combination, a plurality of articles which include enlarged central portions and reduced upper and lower end portions and a carton for bulk packaging said articles comprising; a container unit including an integral pair of spaced Wall sections, and a plurality of spaced main sections connected between the lower portions of said wall sections, one of said main sections including apertures adapted for receiving said central portions of said articles, another of said main sections including apertures adapted -for receiving only the reduced lower end portions of said articles and for suspending said articles above 'the plane of the lower edges of said wall sections; and a separate cover unit including a pair of spaced wall, sections, and a plurality of spaced main sections connected between said cover unit wall sections, only the lower one of said cover unit main sections including apertures adapted for receiving the reduced upper end portions of said articles, said cover unit being securable between the upper portions of said wall sections of said container unit at any position necessary `for causing said last-mentioned main section to engage said enlarged portions of saidv articles for retaining said articles in said container unit, `and the other of said cover unit main sections being substantially spaced from and covering said reduced upper end portions of the retained articles.

9. In combination, a plurality of articles which include enlarged central portions and reduced lower and upper end portions and a carton for bulk packaging said articles comprising; a container unit including an integral pair of spaced wall sections, and a plurality of spaced main sections connected between the lower portions of said wall sections, one of said main sections including apertures for receiving said central portions of said articles, another of said main sections including apertures adapted `for receiving only the reduced lower end portions of said articles and suspending said articles above the plane of the lower edges of said wall sections; and a separate cover unit including a pair of spaced wall sections, and a plurality of spaced main sections connected between said cover unit wall sections, only the lower one of said cover unit main sections including apertures adapted for receiving the reduced upper end portions of said articles, said last-mentioned main section engaging said enlarged portions of said articles and applying a force thereto vfor retaining said articles in said container unit when said cover unit is in place between `the upper portions of said wall sections of said container unit and the other of said main sections of said cover unit is in substantially the same plane as the upper edges of said wall sections of said container unit.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 915,294 Hilliker Mar. 16, 1909 1,344,147 Potter June 22, 1920 1,347,899 Edington July 27, 1920 1,853,746 Robin Apr. 12, 1932 1,944,214 Bueschel Jan. 23, 1934 2,077,047 .Kondolf Apr. 13, 1937 2,654,469 Fulmer et al. Oct. 6, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 503,691 Germany July 25, 1930 

